Comprehensive evaluations for adults seeking clarity
You may have spent years wondering why certain parts of everyday life seem to require more effort than they do for other people.
Perhaps you struggle with organization, time management, task initiation, or maintaining attention—even when you are highly capable and motivated. Or you may have always felt somewhat different socially, experienced sensory sensitivities, relied heavily on routines, or found that unexpected changes are particularly difficult.
For some adults, these experiences lead to questions about ADHD. For others, they raise questions about autism. Some recognize characteristics of both.
At Onward Growth Psychiatry, we provide comprehensive adult ADHD and autism evaluations for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of their experiences and how longstanding patterns may affect their work, relationships, daily responsibilities, and overall functioning.
Adult ADHD Evaluations
ADHD in adulthood can look very different from the stereotypical image of a hyperactive child.
Adults with ADHD may experience persistent difficulties with:
- Starting and completing tasks
- Time management and time awareness
- Organization and prioritization
- Forgetfulness and working memory
- Maintaining attention during routine or low-interest activities
- Managing multiple responsibilities at once
- Following through on plans
- Shifting attention between tasks
- Procrastination and deadline-driven productivity
- Regulating attention based on interest, novelty, or urgency
Some adults have developed sophisticated strategies to compensate for these challenges. They may use extensive calendars, reminders, lists, routines, or perfectionistic approaches to stay on top of responsibilities.
An evaluation considers not only the difficulties you experience, but also the strategies you have developed to manage them.
Adult Autism Evaluations
Autism can present differently in adulthood than many people expect.
Adults exploring an autism evaluation may describe differences in social communication, sensory processing, routines, interests, emotional regulation, or responses to change. Some may have spent years consciously studying social expectations and adapting their behavior to fit into different environments.
An adult autism evaluation considers the broader developmental pattern rather than relying on a single questionnaire or isolated characteristic.
Areas explored may include:
- Social communication and interaction
- Understanding implicit or unspoken social expectations
- Sensory sensitivities and sensory-seeking behaviors
- Preferences for routine, predictability, and structure
- Responses to transitions and unexpected changes
- Focused or highly developed interests
- Repetitive behaviors or patterns
- Masking and camouflaging
- Childhood developmental experiences
- Current functioning at work, home, and in relationships
Evaluations for Adults Who May Be High-Masking
Autism does not always look the way people expect
Some autistic adults have spent years learning how to adapt to social expectations. They may appear highly social, successful, articulate, independent, or comfortable in professional environments while privately experiencing significant effort, exhaustion, or confusion.
High masking can involve consciously studying other people’s behavior, rehearsing conversations, monitoring facial expressions and body language, suppressing natural behaviors, or developing extensive strategies for navigating social situations.
Because these adaptations can make autistic characteristics less obvious, some adults are not recognized as autistic until adulthood.
Tabitha Hapeman’s experience with high-masking presentations
Tabitha Hapeman specializes in evaluating adult ADHD and autism presentations, including individuals whose characteristics may be less immediately apparent because of years of masking or compensation.
Her evaluation approach considers the difference between how a person appears to function externally and the amount of cognitive, emotional, and sensory effort that may be required to maintain that level of functioning.
Rather than relying solely on whether an adult appears socially engaged, maintains employment, has relationships, or performs well academically, the evaluation considers the person’s developmental history, internal experience, compensatory strategies, and patterns across different environments.
This can be particularly important for adults who have learned to adapt successfully while still experiencing longstanding difficulties that have never been fully explained.
Learn more about high masking women here
ADHD and Autism Can Occur Together
Some adults recognize characteristics of both ADHD and autism.
ADHD may contribute to difficulties with attention regulation, organization, time management, task initiation, and impulsivity, while autism may involve differences in social communication, sensory processing, routines, and responses to change.
When both are being considered, it can be helpful to examine how these characteristics interact rather than evaluating each concern in isolation.
Onward Growth Psychiatry offers combined ADHD and autism evaluations for adults seeking a more comprehensive understanding of their neurodevelopmental profile.
What Is Included in an Evaluation?
A comprehensive evaluation may include:
- Detailed clinical interview
- Developmental-history review
- Review of relevant personal and educational history
- Informant questionnaires when appropriate
- Structured assessment measures
- Clinical observation
- Exploration of current functioning
- Diagnostic formulation
- Comprehensive written report
The specific components depend on the type of evaluation being completed.
The goal is to understand the individual’s developmental history and current presentation as a whole rather than make a determination based on a single test score.
Why Seek an Adult Evaluation?
Adults pursue ADHD and autism evaluations for many different reasons.
You may be seeking an explanation for challenges that have been present since childhood. Maybe you recently recognized similar characteristics in a child, partner, friend, or family member and begun recognizing them in yourself. You may be experiencing increased difficulty managing responsibilities as demands have changed.
Others seek evaluation because they want greater clarity about their strengths and challenges or want documentation that may help inform future treatment, accommodations, or support.
An evaluation does not change who you are. Instead, it can provide a framework for understanding longstanding patterns and considering what types of support may be appropriate.
Serving Adults Throughout New Hampshire
Onward Growth Psychiatry provides adult ADHD and autism evaluation services for eligible individuals located throughout New Hampshire, subject to current licensure, telehealth, and service-availability requirements.
The practice serves individuals seeking evaluation from communities throughout the state, including:
Manchester • Nashua • Concord • Portsmouth • Dover • Rochester • Keene • Laconia • Lebanon • Hanover and surrounding communities
If you are unsure whether your location is within the current service area, contact the practice before scheduling.
Self-Pay ADHD and Autism Evaluations
Onward Growth Psychiatry is a self-pay practice and does not accept insurance.
Current evaluation options include adult ADHD evaluations, adult autism evaluations, and combined ADHD/autism evaluations. Each evaluation includes a defined assessment process and comprehensive documentation appropriate to the service selected.
Please review the current evaluation fees and what is included before scheduling.
Take the Next Step
If you have been wondering whether ADHD, autism, or both may help explain your experiences, an evaluation can provide an opportunity to explore those questions in a structured and individualized way.
Adult ADHD & Autism Evaluations in New Hampshire Cost
Adult Autism Evaluation
$1200
Adult Autism + ADHD Evaluation
$1500